Car Clubs

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many areas have car clubs; how many cars each has available; and what public funding each receives.

Gillian Merron: Information about car clubs is published on the CarPlus website at www.carplus.org.uk According to this, there are 30 car clubs, with a total of 345 cars covering 40 towns and cities, and 9,124 users.

Comprehensive Spending Review

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with  (a) the Treasury and  (b) the Cabinet Office regarding the pre-comprehensive spending review report; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Secretary of State for Transport has had and will continue to have wide ranging and regular discussions with the Chief Secretary about preparations for the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, as a matter of key importance to the Department for Transport's medium and long-term planning.

Disabled People (Blue Badge Scheme)

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which of the recommendations of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee's review of the blue badge scheme which were accepted by the Department have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on progress towards those accepted recommendations which have yet to be implemented.

Gillian Merron: DPTAC made 47 recommendations about the blue badge scheme. Of those that were accepted, five required no further action. Provision for a power to inspect blue badges has been made through Section 94 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. The Commencement Order was made on 29 June 2006 with an implementation date of 29 September 2006.
	Research is being carried out into the feasibility of setting up a national database of blue badge holders; the independent mobility needs of certain groups of people such as those with autism or mental health problems to determine whether there is a need for extending the eligibility for a badge; and examining the provision and use of parking spaces for disabled people in the central London area.
	Work continues on the remaining recommendations. These include a number that require changes to regulations (such as extending the scheme to children under the age of two and those with temporary mobility impairments) and we will consult on a draft regulatory package later this year which will address 23 of the remaining recommendations.

Social Exclusion

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been conducted since 2001 by or for his Department on the links between social exclusion and transport.

Gillian Merron: The Department contributed to the Social Exclusion Unit's research into the links between transport and social exclusion ('Making the Connections', published in 2003). Accessibility planning was introduced as a result of this report, and we have taken forward a programme of further research, in liaison with other Government Departments and local authorities, to inform its development and implementation. Details of the projects conducted, and associated published reports, are on the Department's website at www.accessibi lityplanning.gov.uk.
	Since 2001 the Department has been funding a research project implementing 103 child pedestrian training schemes ('Kerbcraft') in 64 English local authorities in areas of deprivation. Last year the Department published the research findings into understanding community severance. The Department is currently examining the extent that voluntary and community transport contributes to reducing social exclusion, and is examining travel training schemes to improve socially excluded people's awareness of and ability to access public transport safely and independently.
	The Department has two research projects in progress, findings from which will be available by the end of the year. The 'Understanding the travel choices, needs, behaviours and aspirations of people in later life' is a qualitative study involving 55 depth interviews with a range of older people. As a part of this study, older people have been asked about whether they have any transport related barriers to accessing key services and social activities. In addition, a small scale analysis of survey data on the links between fear of crime, travel choices and social exclusion is also in progress.
	The Department is also about to complete a piece of work with the Plunkett Foundation and the Community Transport Association to look at the role of social enterprise in community transport. This will include a programme of work to support those community transport operators interested in becoming more self sustaining.
	The Dealing with Disadvantage initiative was launched in October 2002, and subsequently renamed the Neighbourhood Road Safety Initiative (NRSI). DfT allocated approximately £17 million to 15 local authorities to develop innovative strategies to improve road safety in their most deprived wards. The NRSI was originally envisaged to run until March 2006, but this has been extended and central government funding will now end in March 2007. The NRSI evaluation was commissioned in January 2004 from a consortium led by University College London. The evaluation is due to be completed in October 2008.

Social Exclusion

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what changes in  (a) legislation and  (b) guidance issued by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies there have been since the publication of the Department's report on social exclusion and the provision and availability of public transport in 2000;
	(2)  what changes in  (a) legislation and  (b) guidance issued by his Department or its agencies there have been since the publication of Making the Connections: final report on transport and social exclusion by the social exclusion unit in 2003.

Gillian Merron: A number of measures have been taken:
	 Accessibility planning
	Guidance on Local Transport Plans (LTPs), issued in December 2004, required authorities to incorporate accessibility strategies in their second round LTPs, which were submitted to the Department at the end of March 2006 and cover the period to 2010-11. At the same time, the Department published and distributed detailed guidance to local authorities on accessibility planning in LTPs.
	 Flexible services and the voluntary sector
	In 2002, Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) was extended to a wide range of community transport (voluntary sector) services.
	In 2002 the Department published and distributed guidance on flexible transport services, setting out the options available under current legislation.
	Regulations on bus service registration were amended in February 2004 to allow "flexibly routed" and "demand responsive" bus services to be registered. At the same time these services were made eligible to receive BSOG.
	Between 1998 and 2003, the rural and urban bus challenge grant schemes supported many new, innovative services aimed at improving social inclusion and accessibility.
	 Other Bus Initiatives
	A good practice guide to assist local authorities and operators engaged in the tendering of local bus services in England was published by the Department in February 2005.
	The local concessionary bus fare scheme has been extended to around one million men aged 60-64; from April 2006, off-peak local bus travel became free for older and disabled people in England; and from April 2008, a national concessionary fares scheme will be introduced for older and disabled people in England, to offer free off-peak travel on buses anywhere in the country.
	 Road safety
	The Neighbourhood Road Safety Initiative is funding 15 councils with high child pedestrian casualty rates to deliver improvements across their deprived communities; and a research project implementing103 child pedestrian training schemes ('Kerbcraft') in 64 English local authorities in areas of deprivation is currently being funded.
	Guidance on 'Tackling the road safety implications of disadvantage' was issued at the beginning ofApril 2003, to all English local highway authorities.

Contingency Planning

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what legal measures the Government has in place to intervene in  (a) private and  (b) public sectors should a catastrophic breakdown of computer systems occur.

Patrick McFadden: Part 2 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 provides the Government with a last resort mechanism for making rapid temporary legislation (emergency regulations) for dealing with the effects of the most serious emergencies where existing legislation is not sufficient. This could include measures to intervene in the event of a catastrophic breakdown of private or public sector computer systems.
	The Government expect all organisations forming part of the Critical National Infrastructure to have in place effective business continuity management arrangements.

Casinos

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who the members are of the Casino Advisory Panel; and with which towns and cities they are associated through their employment.

Richard Caborn: The members of the Casino Advisory Panel have all completed a register of interests, copies of which are available on request from the panel secretary. The panel has in place a robust system for managing any real or perceived conflicts of interest. Panel members have taken no part in the assessment of proposals from any areas with which they have a particular connection. The areas with which panel members have declared interests—whether personal or through employment—are set out in the table.
	
		
			  Panel member  Areas 
			 Stephen Crow (Chair) Bath and NE Somerset, Cardiff 
			 Chris Collison Mansfield, Manchester 
			 James Froomberg Significant connections: Brent, Falkirk, Manchester, Solihull, West Dunbartonshire Wolverhampton Minor connections: Glasgow, Greenwich, Hull, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Sefton, Sheffield, Wakefield 
			 Neil Mundy Middlesbrough, Newcastle, South Tyneside, Sunderland, 
			 Deep Sagar Glasgow

Casinos

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures have been taken to ensure that the decision-making process of the Casino Advisory Panel is transparent and objective.

Richard Caborn: The Casino Advisory Panel is required to operate within a Framework Document and Code of Practice, which have been agreed with the Secretary of State and copies of which are available on the Casino Advisory Panel website www.culture.gov.uk/CAP.
	The Panel is required to provide reports to the Secretary of State at key points as it develops its recommendations. The purpose of these reports is for the Panel to keep the Secretary of State in touch with its progress, and to assure the Secretary of State that the work methods the Panel is adopting will result in robust and legally sustainable recommendations.
	The first two such progress reports have been published on the Panel's website.

Casinos

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport why the Casino Advisory Panel has not kept minutes of its meetings since it was formed.

Richard Caborn: The Panel has kept minutes of all of its meetings.
	Once the minutes have been agreed by the Panel, copies are published on its website www.culture.gov.uk/CAP.

Casinos

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Government will instruct the Casino Advisory Panel to reopen the shortlisting process for the allocation of casino licences.

Richard Caborn: No. The Casino Advisory Panel operates entirely independently of government, and it is due to make its final recommendations to Ministers by the end of 2006.

Casinos

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what previous connections there have been between members of the Casino Advisory Panel and the Department.

Richard Caborn: Professor Stephen Crow had no connections with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport prior to his appointment as Chair of the Casino Advisory Panel. I met Professor Crow on one occasion when I was a Minister at the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
	Chris Collison had no previous connections with the Department prior to his appointment as a member of the Panel. However, as a consultant with the London borough of Waltham Forest he represented that council on the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics Joint Planning Advisory Team.
	James Froomberg made submissions to the gambling review body, which reported to the Department, on behalf of the greyhound racing industry. As a Director of Business in Sport and Leisure (BISL) and a member of BISL's gambling sub-group, until 2003 he was a member of a DCMS industry liaison group on behalf of the broader gambling industry. As Commercial Director of British Waterways, he has had a minor involvement in that company's Olympics related activities.
	As director of finance and subsequently chief executive at Tyne and Wear Development Corporation up to 1998, Neil Mundy was involved in a project funded by the Millennium Commission.
	Deep Sagar had no previous connections with DCMS prior to his appointment as a member of the Panel.

Command Papers

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the Unnumbered Command Papers produced by her Department in each session since 1976; by what means  (a) hon. Members and  (b) members of the public can (i) inspect and (ii) obtain copies; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: Documents which are laid before Parliament as unnumbered Command Papers are generally restricted to Explanatory Notes to Treaties, Explanatory Memorandum to Statutory Instruments and some Treasury Minutes. All other documents are published in the Numbered Command Papers series.
	I have deposited in the Library a list of those unnumbered Command Papers published since 1998—the date at which the Department's searchable records begin. To go back further would entail disproportionate cost.
	Copies of all unnumbered Command Papers are made available via the Vote Office.

Local Government Finance

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much block grant was paid to each local authority in England in the most recent year for which figures are available, expressed as  (a) a total amount and  (b) per capita.

Phil Woolas: A table has been placed in the Libraries of the House showing the amount of formula grant allocated to each authority in 2006-07, its mid-2006 population projection and its formula grant per head i.e. its formula grant divided by its mid-2006 population projection. Formula grant comprises Revenue Support Grant, redistributed business rates and principal formula Police Grant.

Cancer and Stroke Deaths

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the most recent rate of  (a) cancers and  (b) stroke was in (i) Gateshead, East and Washington, West, (ii) the North East and (iii) England.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 13 July 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the most recent rate is of (a) cancers and (b) stroke was in (i) Gateshead East and Washington West, (ii) the North East and (iii) England. (84678)
	 (a) Cancers—incidence
	The latest available rates for newly diagnosed cases of cancer (incidence) are for the year 2003. Incidence rates are not available centrally for parliamentary constituencies.
	Registration rates per 100,000 population, by site and sex, for (ii) the North East and (iii) England for the year 2003 are available in Table 5 of the Annual Reference Volume, Cancer statistics: Registrations, Series MB1. These are available on the National Statistics website:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=8843& Pos=l&ColRank=2&Rank=272
	Cancer incidence rates for all malignant cancers excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (nmsc) for 2003 are given in Table 1 below for (i) Gateshead and Sunderland, (ii) the North East and (iii) England
	 (b) Stroke—incidence
	There is no complete register of stroke cases. Information is available centrally on emergency admission to hospital from the NHS Hospital Episode System (HES), and on death registrations.
	Figures on emergency admissions to hospital for strokes can be found on the Clinical and Health Outcomes Knowledge Base website: http://www.nchod.nhs.uk/ (Table reference numbers: 10C_5281SR7CM_04-V2 (males) 10C_5281SR7CF_04-V2 (females)). Figures are available for England, Government Office Regions, Strategic Health Authorities, Local Authorities and Primary Care Organisations. The latest year for which data are available is for the financial year 2003/04.
	 (c) Cancers and Stroke—mortality
	Mortality rates for parliamentary constituencies cannot be provided because population estimates are not available for these areas. Figures in Table 2 below are provided for the local authorities making up the requested constituency.
	The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in England and Wales in 2001 means that data for cancer are not completely comparable with data for years before this date.
	The effect of the change in classification in 2001 on deaths from these causes is described in a report published in May 2002: "Office for National Statistics. Results of the ICD-10 bridge coding study, England and Wales, 1999. Health Statistics Quarterly 14 (2002), 75-83".
	
		
			  Table 1—Incidence rates( 1)  per million population for all malignant cancers( 2 ) registered in Gateshead and Sunderland local authorities, the North East Government office region and England, 2003 
			   All cancers excluding nmsc 
			 Gateshead 4,131 
			 Sunderland 3,927 
			 North East 3,941 
			 England 3,572 
			 (1) Rates per million population standardised to the European Standard Population.  (2) 'All malignant cancers' are defined by codes C00-C97 excluding non-melanoma skin cancer code C44 in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD 10).   Source:  Office for National Statistics 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2—Death rates( 1 ) for cancer and stroke( 2)  for the local authorities of Gateshead and Sunderland, the North East Government office region and England( 3) ,2004( 4) 
			   Cancer  Stroke 
			 Gateshead 2,032 618 
			 Sunderland 1,995 727 
			 North East 2,074 646 
			 England 1,793 573 
			 (1) Rates per 1,000,000 population standardised to the European Standard Population.  (2) The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), 2004. The codes used are: "Cancer—ICD10 C00-C97 & Stroke—ICD10 160-169". Deaths were selected using the original underlying cause.  (3) Usual residents of this area. The local authority of Gateshead comprises part of Gateshead East and Washington West constituency, the whole of Blaydon constituency plus parts of Jarrow and Tyne Bridge constituencies. The local authority of Sunderland comprises part of Gateshead East and Washington West constituency plus the whole of Houghton and Washington East Sunderland North and Sunderland South constituencies.  (4) Deaths registered in this year.   Source:  Office for National Statistics

Comprehensive Spending Review

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the pre-comprehensive spending review report; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Gentleman to what the Chancellor of the Exchequer said on the Floor of the House earlier today.

Corporation Tax

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what annual average amount of additional tax is expected to be paid as a consequence of the removal of the 0 per cent. starting rate of corporation tax by  (a) the 720,000 companies expected to be affected by this change and  (b) the 870,000 companies which make less than £10,000 annual profit.

John Healey: holding answer 12 May 2006
	The annual median increase for the 720,000 companies affected is given in the Budget 2006 Regulatory Impact Assessment (paragraph 1.23). http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ria/ria-corporation-tax.pdf There are 370,000 companies with annual profits of up to £10,000, and their increase is included in the above.

Data Protection

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1620W, on data protection, whether all redactions made to documents in the case of subject access requests to HM Revenue and Customs are effected by the central team rather than within the sub offices.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 13 July 2006
	All redactions made to documents in the case of subject access requests are made by the officer holding the data before it is forwarded to the central team. Any appeal against the non-disclosure of data as a result of redaction is considered by the central team.

Personal Debt

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the  (a) total and  (b) average personal debt in (i) rural areas and (ii) non-rural areas was in the last period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the average personal  (a) unsecured debt and  (b) total debt was in (i) rural areas and (ii) non-rural areas as a percentage of income in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what the average personal  (a) unsecured debt and  (b) total debt was among those working in the agricultural sector in the last period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 13 July 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on personal debt in the UK. (84618, 84619, 84620)
	We are unable to provide levels of average personal debt by region or split by sector.
	The available information is shown in the following tables.
	The estimates of debt and income are national accounts series for the combined household and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISH) sectors. Estimates for households alone are not available. NPISHs are legal entities which are principally engaged in the production of non-market services for households and whose main resources are voluntary contributions by households. Examples of NPISHs are: charities; relief and aid organisations; educational establishments; Trade Unions; Professional Associations, Political Parties and Religious Organisations, and Sports Clubs and Associations.
	Further data are available from table A64 in United Kingdom Economic Accounts which is available at the following address:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=1904 &Pos=&ColRank=l&Rank=422
	
		
			  A. Levels of debt at end of year 1997-2005 
			  £ million 
			   Total personal debt( 1)  Secured personal debt( 2)  Personal debt( 3)  Other Debt( 4) 
			 1997 586,659 429,679 88,412 68,568 
			 1998 625,134 455,901 97,404 71,829 
			 1999 675,599 492,854 109,208 73,537 
			 2000 734,790 534,066 124,323 76,401 
			 2001 810,665 590,238 140,891 79,536 
			 2002 923,144 669,390 157,748 96,006 
			 2003 1,046,913 772,931 163,506 110,476 
			 2004 1,172,032 875,852 183,390 112,790 
			 2005 1,275,740 965,515 192,905 117,320 
		
	
	
		
			  B. Average debt per head (population 16+), and as a percentage of income, at year end 1997-2005 
			   £  Percentage 
			   Average personal  Total debt( 5)  Average unsecured personal debt( 6)  Average household disposable income( 7)  Average total debt as a percentage of Income( 8)  Average unsecured debt as a percentage of income( 9) 
			 1997 12,894 1943 12,307 104.8 15.8 
			 1998 13,691 2133 12,763 107.2 16.7 
			 1999 14,731 2381 13,279 110.9 17.9 
			 2000 15,937 2696 13,955 114.2 19.3 
			 2001 17,467 3036 14,787 118.1 20.5 
			 2002 19,766 3378 15,182 130.2 22.3 
			 2003 22,277 3479 15,755 141.4 22.1 
			 2004 24,766 3875 16,180 153.1 24.0 
			 2005 26,730 4042 16,781 159.3 24.1 
			 When using Table 64 of United Kingdom Economic Accounts (web link as above) the database identifiers are;(1) NNP(2 )NNRP(3) NNRG + NNRK(4) NNPP-NNRP-NNRG-NNRK(5 )NNPP/MGSL(6) (NNRG+NNRK)/MGSL(7) QWND/MGSL(8) (NNPP/MGSL)/(QWND/MGSL)*100(9) (NNRP/MGSL)/(QWND?MGSL)*100 Note:For average per head figures, the denominator is population aged 16+ (MGSL)

Plastic Bags

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 4 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1743W, on plastic bags, if he will carry out a follow-up assessment to that carried out in December 2002 of the longer-term impact of the operation of the Irish plastic bag tax since its introduction in March 2002.

John Healey: There are no current plans to re-assess the Irish plastic bag tax.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value is of tax credit overpayments written off for each quarter since 2001.

Dawn Primarolo: End of year adjustments leading to an overpayment of tax credits for 2003-04 were only finally identified after April 2004 when HMRC started finalising awards for that year and the department began considering disputed overpayments in June 2004.
	For the value of tax credits overpayments written off between June 2004 and March 2006, I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 4 July 2005,  Official Report, column 101W, 10 October 2005, Official Report, column 282W, 27 October 2005,  Official Report, column 497W, 15 November 2005,  Official Report,column 1214W, 18 April 2006,  Official Report, column 567W and 5 June 2006,  Official Report column 189W, and to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. Goodman) on 26 January 2006,  Official Report, columns 2249W-250W.

Teenage Pregnancies

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many teenage pregnancies there was in  (a) Southampton,  (b) Portsmouth,  (c) Hampshire and  (d) the combined area of the three in each year since 1990; and what the teenage pregnancy rate was in each case.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 13 July 2006:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the (a) number and (b) rate of teenage pregnancy was in (i) Southampton, (ii) Portsmouth,(iii) Hampshire and (iv) the combined area of the three in each year since 1997. I am replying in her absence. (84342)
	Available figures are estimates of the number of pregnancies that resulted in a live birth, stillbirth or termination.
	Teenage conception numbers and rates for Southampton UA, Portsmouth UA, Hampshire County and for the combined area of the three from 1997 to 2004 (the most recent year for which figures are available) are given in the following table. Figures for 2004 are provisional.
	
		
			  Teenage conceptions: numbers and rates( 1)  for Southampton UA, Portsmouth UA and Hampshire county, 1997-2004 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004( 2) 
			  (a) Numbers 
			  (b) Rates 
			 Total 1,174 1,190 1,102 1,021 1,126 1,099 1,089 1,115 
			 Southampton UA 215 216 194 201 223 240 212 204 
			 Portsmouth UA 172 174 168 130 160 163 162 190 
			 Hampshire County 787 800 740 690 743 696 715 721 
			  
			 Total 41 41 38 35 38 37 36 36 
			 Southampton UA 61 61 57 59 66 67 58 56 
			 Portsmouth UA 59 57 54 40 48 48 46 54 
			 Hampshire County 35 36 33 31 33 30 31 30 
			 (1) Rate per 1,000 women aged 15-17.(2) Provisional.

Afghanistan

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Oral Statement of 10 July 2006,  Official Report, columns 1131-48, on Afghanistan (troop levels), if he will estimate the cost of the deployment of the additional force to Helmand Province; and whether the resources to fund the cost will be added to the Special Reserve established for the three year Afghan deployment.

Des Browne: The deployment and equipping of additional forces to the Helmand Province is estimated at £50 million, broken down into £30 million for the deployment and £20 million for the purchase of Urgent Operational Requirements. This sum has been authorised by HM Treasury as a charge against the Special Reserve in 2006-07.

Body Armour

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what steps have been taken since September 2004 to modify enhanced combat body armour for those providing top cover on Snatch vehicles;
	(2)  what steps have been taken since September 2004 to modify enhanced combat body armour to provide additional protection to (a) the neck and (b) the armpit area.

Des Browne: Enhanced Combat Body Armour (ECBA), comprises of a waistcoat cover with a para-aramid filler plus two ceramic plates. It is issued to all troops deployed on operations. The Ministry of Defence has also developed a new type of body armour to provide better protection for those undertaking Top Cover Sentry and driving duties on operations in a range of vehicles including SNATCH. The Driver and Top Cover Sentry Protection System provide the same levels of protection as ECBA and additional protection for vulnerable areas of the upper arm and neck. In addition, a further body armour called Osprey has been developed for use by foot patrols. This also provides additional neck and armpit protection as well as other capability enhancements.
	Over the past two years, we have spent £120 million improving protection for ground forces in Iraq in response to the evolving threat from Impromised Explosive Devices.

Oxfordshire Coroner

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings were held between  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials from his Department and the Oxfordshire Coroner between 17 July 2003 and 31 January 2004.

Des Browne: No meetings were held between Ministry of Defence Ministers or officials and the Oxfordshire coroner between 17 July 2003 and 31 January 2004 in connection with Dr. Kelly. Liaison between the coroner and Government on this matter was through the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Punishments

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to prevent unauthorised or informal punishments of soldiers by non-commissioned officers.

Tom Watson: There are two systems to deal with minor breaches of behaviour. These are "summary dealing" using disciplinary powers under the ArmyAct 1955 and "administrative action" using Army General and Administrative Instruction (AGAI) 67, both of which provide a range of punishments or sanctions. These sanctions and punishments are carried out in a properly regulated manner and both systems have well established appeals procedures.
	Unauthorised or informal punishments within the Army are not lawful. Unofficial or unauthorised punishments may in themselves constitute criminal behaviour and would be investigated and dealt with accordingly. The administration of informal punishments could constitute harassment or bullying and all soldiers are made fully aware of the serious consequences of such action as well as being provided with well publicised facilities to complain.

Services Sound and Vision Corporation

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) terms of reference and  (b) codes of practice govern the relationship between his Department and (i) Services Sound and Vision Corporation and(ii) its subsidiary British Forces Broadcasting Service.

Tom Watson: holding answer 13 July 2006
	The Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC) is a private company limited by guarantee and registered charity, with which the Ministry of Defence has contracted to provide a number of services related to the entertainment and the provision of training material for British Service personnel around the world. British Forces Broadcasting (BFBS) is not a subsidiary of SSVC but the designation of some of the services operated on behalf of the MOD by SSVC and has been in use with the MOD since the early days of Service broadcasts.

Sickness Absence

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2006,  Official Report, column 263W, on sickness absence, how many staff in his Department have had two or more periods of sick leave of less than five days in two or more of the years for which he has provided figures.

Tom Watson: There were 20,150 non-industrial staff with two or more absences of less than five days during two or more of the years reported on in my answer of5 June 2006. Of these non-industrials, 8,430 had two or more periods of absence of less than five days during all three years reported on.
	There were 2,600 industrial staff with two or more absences of less than five days during two of the years reported on. No industrial staff had two or more periods of absence of less than five days during all three years.
	Royal Fleet Auxiliaries, Locally Engaged Civilians and Trading Fund staff are excluded from these figures.

Crisis Loans

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many crisis loans were granted in Crewe and Nantwich constituency in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05 and  (c) 2005-06; and how many have been granted in 2006-07.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the following table.
	
		
			  Crisis loans for Cheshire Jobcentre Plus district 
			   Number of initial awards 
			 2003-04 12,130 
			 2004-05 11,320 
			 2005-06 14,230 
			 2006-07 to 30 June 3,290 
			  Notes:1. Data is not available by parliamentary constituency, but only by Jobcentre Plus district.2. Crewe and Nantwich parliamentary constituency is in Cheshire and Warrington Jobcentre Plus district, which was known as Cheshire Jobcentre Plus district until 31 March 2006.3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.

Fuel Direct

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average level of Fuel Direct payment was for  (a) gas and  (b) electricity to each supplier in (i) each region of England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales in the last full year for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: Information is not available broken down by region; the available information is in the following tables.
	
		
			  Average weekly payments under the Fuel Direct scheme to gas suppliers, Great Britain; 1 June 2005 to 31 May 2006 
			  Supplier  Average payment (£) 
			 0000011814—Powergen 12.19 
			 0000013614—Npower Ltd 12.62 
			 0000013653—Npower Ltd 12.44 
			 0000020024—British Gas Trading 12.38 
			 0000020030—British Gas 13.25 
			 0000025008—EOF Energy 12.23 
			 0000025010—Environenergy Limited 13.39 
			 0000025011—Amerada (SWEB Gas) 8.60 
			 0000030006—EDF Energy 11.61 
			 0000030141—Scottish Power 11.76 
			 0000030201—Scottish and Southern Energy 11.61 
			 0000030333—SWALEC Plc 13.48 
			 0000030397—EDF Energy 12.75 
			 0000030460—Powergen 12.34 
			 0000030648—Powergen 11.92 
			 0000030725—Calor Gas Limited 12.97 
			 0000030928—EDF Energy 11.91 
			 0000031043—Flogas UK Ltd 21.43 
			 0000031099—Atlantic Electric and Gas 12.48 
			 0000031192—BP LPG UK 23.85 
		
	
	
		
			  Average weekly payments under the Fuel Direct scheme to electricity suppliers, Great Britain; 1 June 2005 to 31 May 2006 
			  Supplier  Average payment (£) 
			 0000010002—Powergen 11.56 
			 0000016001—Powergen 13.28 
			 0000016012—Powergen 14.28 
			 0000016024—EOF Energy 12.42 
			 0000016035—Npower Ltd 14.16 
			 0000016037—Npower Ltd 13.20 
			 0000016047—Scottish Power 13.59 
			 0000016052—EOF Energy 13.23 
			 0000016058—SWALEC Plc 14.07 
			 0000016062—EOF Energy 13.49 
			 0000016065—Scottish and Southern Energy 12.84 
			 0000030393—British Gas 11.96 
			 0000030903—EOF Energy 12.15 
			 0000031084—Atlantic Electric and Gas 11.56 
			 0000031289—Ecotricity 12.14 
			  Note:Some suppliers have more than on account to which payments are made for both gas and electricity, where this is the case the average for each account is shown.

Pensions

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what requirements the Government have placed on private businesses to contribute to a safety net for pension funds.

James Purnell: The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) pays compensation to members of defined benefit schemes if their employer becomes insolvent and the pension scheme is under funded. The PPF has also taken on responsibility for paying compensation to members of any eligible defined benefit or other defined contribution scheme where the members lose their pension due to fraud.
	The Pensions Act (2004) provides for the funding of this through levies on eligible schemes.

Post Office Card Account

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in West Lancashire collect their  (a) pensions and  (b) benefit payments via a post office card account.

James Plaskitt: Information showing the number of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit and pension payment accounts paid by direct payment into a Post Office card account for each parliamentary constituency has been placed in the Library.

Post Office Card Account

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1603W, on the Post Office card account, if he will place a copy of the contract in the Library.

James Plaskitt: I have already placed an abridged copy of the contract in the Library.
	I also refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds(Mr. Ruffley) on 7 March 2006,  Official Report, column 1354W.

Sure Start

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women have received a Sure Start maternity grant in Stroud constituency in each of the last two years.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the following table.
	
		
			  Sure Start maternity grants for Gloucestershire Jobcentre Plus district 
			   Number of awards 
			 2004-05 1,640 
			 2005-06 1,510 
			  Notes:1. Data is not available by parliamentary constituency but only by Jobcentre Plus district.2. Stroud parliamentary constituency is in Gloucestershire Jobcentre Plus district in 2004-05. This district merged with another district in April 2005. The figure for 2005-06 in the table is for the area covered by the former Gloucestershire Jobcentre Plus district.3. Figures are for all awards, irrespective of whether the award was made to the mother or her partner.4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.

Afghanistan

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her German counterpart on ensuring that adequate vetting procedures are in place to ensure that the Afghan police are not infiltrated by the Taliban.

Kim Howells: The Afghanistan Compact, which was launched at the London Conference in January 2006, sets out benchmarks and timelines for the next phase in Afghanistan's reconstruction process. This includesthe establishment of clear and transparent national appointments mechanisms for the public sector, including vetting procedures. Implementation will be phased over five years.
	I have not had recent discussions with my German counterpart on this subject but our Embassy in Kabul is in close touch with the German-led Police Project Office about the police reform process.

Africa (Peacekeeping Capability)

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contributions the UK plans to make to strengthen African peacekeeping capability following the meeting of G8 officials and donor parties in Moscow on 8 June; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: The UK remains strongly committed to supporting the African Union's (AU) goal of enhancing African peacekeeping capacity and establishing an African Standby Force (ASF). The meeting of G8 officials and other donors on 8 June was an operational level meeting to review latest progress and further improve co-ordination of peace support operations (PSO) assistance initiatives to the AU and its member states.
	The UK provides significant levels of PSO training to African national forces geared to both preparation for specific deployments and to building longer-term capacity and skills. UK support, both financial and through the provision of military training staff, to African training centres of excellence such as theKofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre is also helping to strengthen African regional training—an area of growing importance as the ASF regional brigades are officially formed. In collaboration with other international partners, the UK is providing technical and financial assistance to the AU's Peace and Security Department through a series of workshops in 2006 to design policy and procedure for the ASF. UK financial support for PSO capacity building projects in Africa between 2001 and 2005 has been steadily increasing and was over £24 million in 2004-05.

British Passport Holders

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam(Mr. Clegg) of 15 June 2006,  Official Report,columns 1373-5W, on British passport holders, how many British passport holders are estimated to be registered at their local British representative mission.

Kim Howells: We do not maintain a central list of British passport holders who have registered at our overseas missions. It is not compulsory to register and the numbers who do so are very low. We will shortly have available an updated online facility to allow British nationals to register electronically. We hope this will increase the number of people registering.

Colombia

Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Colombian government on threats by paramilitary organisations to kill students and staff at the University of Antioquia.

Geoff Hoon: Human rights are at the heart of our policy towards Colombia. We remain concerned about the situation faced by civil society there. Although we have not made any specific representations to the Colombian government on this issue, we keep the human rights situation in the country under constant review and frequently raise individual cases with the Government of Colombia. We also support a range of projects aimed at improving human rights in line with the spirit of UN human rights recommendations. Among our current priorities are the protection and promotion of human rights defenders, the protection of child rights and improvements in the rule of law. We will continue to engage with the Government of Colombia on human rights issues.

Colombia

Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Colombian government on the confrontation and dismantling of paramilitary groups.

Geoff Hoon: There have not been any recent discussions at Ministerial level on this issue, although we regularly raise it with our Colombian counterparts at official level. The UK and the EU have consistently called for a legal framework for the process of demobilisation, disarmament and reinsertion of illegal armed groups. In the EU Ministerial General Affairs and External Relations Council Conclusions of 3 October 2005, the UK and its EU partners recognised the importance of the Colombian Justice and Peace Law, agreed in July the same year, in providing an overall legal framework for this process. With our international partners, the UK has encouraged the Government of Colombia to implement this new law transparently so that it will have a positive impact on the peace building process. The Colombian government announced on 18 April the completion of the formal process of demobilisation which saw over 30,000 paramilitaries demobilise. We will continue to work with our partners to help the Government of Colombia address the challenges it faces.

Colombia

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made by the UK Government to the government of Colombia about trade union rights.

Geoff Hoon: We remain very concerned about the human rights situation faced by civil society, including trade unionists, in Colombia. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, raised the issue of engaging with civil society with Colombian Defence Minister-designate Juan Manuel Santos when they met on 5 July with Colombian Foreign Minister Carolina Barco in the fringes of the EU/Latin America and the Caribbean summit on 12 May. In April, our embassy staff in Bogota met with the Vice President of the National Union of Hospital and Health Workers and with the Human Rights Director of the Central Union of Workers in May. We also regularly meet British and Colombian trade unionists and other civil society groups, in the UK and Colombia, to hear their views and discuss how the Government can best support them. My noble Friend Lord Triesman met a British trade union delegation on 6 March to discuss their recent visit to Colombia and hear their concerns about human rights. In February, we also funded a working visit to the UK by eight senior Colombian trade unionists to demonstrate our support to civil society in Colombia and the important role it has to play in helping find solutions.

Departmental Resource Accounts

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2006,  Official Report, column 298W, on departmental resource accounts, what the items listed were; and what the reason was for the need for their disposal.

Geoff Hoon: As my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Mr. Jack Straw) said in his reply to thehon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) on 27 February 2006,  Official Report, column 298W, these were items which were identified as having been disposed of, but action had not been taken to remove them from the asset register. The assets were disposed of or consumed in the ordinary course of business. The disposal value was made up of a large number of assets with relatively minor values and the disposal of these items did not occur as a single event. Due to the large number of items that have been disposed of, it is not possible to list them all in this reply. However, a copy of the full list will be placed in the Library of the House. I will also arrange for the list to be sent to the hon. Member.

European Constitution

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answerto the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead(Mike Penning) of 20 October 2005,  Official Report, column 1204W, on the European constitution, which themes and regions have been identified as areas of common foreign and security policy activity for which strategic interests and objectives have yet to be ascribed.

Geoff Hoon: We understand that the question refers to EU common strategies. As my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Europe (Mr. Alexander) stated in his answer to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) on 20 October 2005,  Official Report, column 1204W, there have only been three examples of EU common strategies, under the umbrella of Common Foreign and Security Policy: Russia, Ukraine and Euromed.

Extraordinary Rendition

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of reports that Prestwick, Shannon and Bangor airports were used for the refuelling of flights involved in either the inbound or outbound stages of extraordinary rendition operations.

Margaret Beckett: Bangor and Shannon airports, which are mentioned in the report into the extraordinary rendition of terrorist suspects published on 7 June by the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, are of course in the United States and the Republic of Ireland respectively. The Government are not therefore in a position to assess those claims. In so far as the claims about Prestwick airport are concerned, there is no evidence that any of the flights identified in the data supplied by Eurocontrol to the Council of Europe's inquiry were involved in rendition through the UK. I refer the right hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary's (Mr. Jack Straw) written ministerial statement of 20 January 2006,  Official Report, columns 37-38WS which summarises the position in respect of renditions through UK territory or airspace sinceMay 1997.

Latin America (Trade Unions)

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on trade union rights in Latin American countries.

Geoff Hoon: In view of continuing social and economic inequality, and the impact of globalisation on labour markets in Latin American countries, trade unions have a key role in protecting employment rights throughout the region. However, the extent to which unions are effective in influencing the economic and social debate, and in achieving the objectives of their members, varies hugely from country to country due to a wide range of social and political circumstances. This Government fully supports the rights of trade unions world-wide. We have played a leading role in ensuring that the international framework to promote international labour rights, and to tackle abuses of those rights throughout the world, is in place, particularly through our work with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the UN specialised agency responsible for developing, promoting and monitoring labour standards. The ILO's 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work commits all countries to respect, promote and to realise the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining as well as the ending of forced labour, child labour and discrimination in employment.

North Korea

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the nuclear missile tests undertaken by North Korea; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: On 4 and 5 July, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted a series of missile launches. These included No-Dong ballistic missiles and a Taepodong II missile; the latter was the first test of this system and failed some 40 seconds after launch.
	While it is possible that both No-Dong and Taepodong II missiles, correctly configured, may have the capability to carry a nuclear warhead over a long distance, we have no indication the DPRK has ever attempted to test any missile with a nuclear warhead.
	Nevertheless, we are seriously concerned that the DPRK decided to go ahead with these missile launches, despite international pressure on them not to. These tests are provocative and only serve to raise tensions in the region. Following the launches, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made a statement condemning them and strongly urged the Government of the DPRK to adhere to its commitment to a moratorium on missile testing.

Sickness Absence

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 24 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1866W, on sickness absence, how many staff in her Department have had two or more periods of sick leave of less than five days in two or more of the years for which she has provided figures.

Geoff Hoon: 789 staff have had two or more periods of sick leave of less than five days within two or more of the Financial Years reported: 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06.

Szeklerland

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the UK Government has had in the last 12 months with the  (a) Hungarian and  (b) Romanian Governments regarding the state of Szekterland.

Geoff Hoon: The Government have had no discussions in the last 12 months on this issue with the Hungarian or Romanian Governments.

Szeklerland

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the status of Szekterland has been a part of discussions regarding the accession of Romania to the EU.

Geoff Hoon: The status of Szeklerland has not been part of discussions regarding Romania's EU accession. However, the Romanian Government are aware that it needs to continue to satisfy the Copenhagen Criteria, which guarantees respect for and protection of minorities such as the ethnic Hungarian minority in Szeklerland.

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions were notified as being carried out in England in each year since 1996 on women whose normal place of residence was  (a) France,  (b) Germany,  (c) Italy,  (d) Ireland,  (e) Spain,  (f) Israel,  (g) Malta,  (h) Isle of Man and  (i) the United States of America.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is shown in the table. It is also available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Statistics/StatisticalWorkAreas/StatisticalPublic Health /fs/en for 2002-05 data and at: www.statistics .gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp%3Fvlnk%3D68%26Pos% 3D2% 26ColRank%3D2%26Rank%3D640 for 1996 to 2001 data.
	
		
			  Number of abortions to non residents of selected countries, 1996 to 2005 
			  Country of residence  1996  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 France 1,073 887 435 332 299 199 176 109 53 38 
			 Germany 56 74 71 67 48 33 46 25 16 19 
			 Italy 427 433 395 394 416 389 302 294 266 232 
			 Irish Republic 4,894 5,340 5,891 6,226 6,391 6,673 6,522 6,320 6,217 5,585 
			 Northern Ireland 1,573 1,572 1,581 1,430 1,528 1,577 1,391 1,318 1,280 1,164 
			 Spain 66 52 39 32 32 17 35 36 33 27 
			 Israel (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) 
			 Malta 61 64 59 49 67 57 69 47 67 54 
			 Isle of Man 160 174 133 180 177 139 170 134 152 161 
			 USA 22 19 17 19 29 35 21 20 18 26 
			 (1) Less than 10

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the abortion rate was per 1,000 women aged 15 to 49 years in each health authority in England and Wales in 2005.

Caroline Flint: This information is contained within table 10b of the Statistical Bulletin 2006/01, 'Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2005'. Copies have been placed in the Library and also on the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/13/68/59/04136859.pdf

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department  (a) has undertaken and  (b) plans to undertake into the reasons for trends in the abortion rate in England between 2004 and 2005; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 March 2006,  Official Report, column 250W.
	The 2005 abortion statistics showed the abortion rate per 1,000 resident women aged 15 to 44 and the under 18 and under 16 abortion rates stayed the same as in 2004. In addition, more abortions were performed at an earlier gestation and there were less late abortions. The Statistical Bulletin 2006-01, Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2005 is available in the Library and also on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov. uk/assetRoot/04/13/68/59/04136859.pdf

Alcohol Misuse (Funding)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the allocation of 15,000,000 for tackling alcohol misuse is planned to be repeated in future years.

Caroline Flint: The 15 million allocated to primary care trusts to improve alcohol services is a recurrent revenue allocation for 2007-08 onwards.

Alcohol Misuse (Funding)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the 15,000,000 funding for treatment of alcohol misuse in 2007-08 will be allocated.

Caroline Flint: 15 million has been allocated to all primary care trusts (PCTs) on a weighted capitation basis to improve alcohol services from 2007-08 onwards. The Department announced 2007-08 revenue allocations to PCTs in February 2005.

Avian Influenza

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent steps she has taken to prepare for a potential outbreak of avian influenza.

Caroline Flint: The Department, in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has well-developed plans in place for the protection of public health in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza.
	DEFRA has published its exotic diseases contingency plan which contains the guidance on public health protection in an outbreak for workers and others who might be exposed to infected birds. This is available on the DEFRA's website: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/avianinfluenza-contplan.htm.
	DEFRA also publishes and regularly updates risk assessments on the threat to UK of introduction of H5N1 from birds and its latest publication, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 situation in Europe and potential risk factors for the introduction of the virus to the United Kingdom, can be found at: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/latest-situation/index.htm
	The Department recently commissioned a report from the HPA: Addressing a Quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessment (QMRA) of the Risks Posed to UK Public Health by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5NL.
	The Department and DEFRA have published guidance on the handling and disposing of dead garden and wild birds.
	Supplies of the anti-viral Tamiflu have been made available in each region for rapid administration to those who may be exposed to infection.
	Advice for clinicians on how to deal with patients who may have been infected with avian influenza is available on the HPA's website: www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/influenza/avian/guidelines.htm
	Advice for travellers on reducing their risk of exposure to minimise risk of bringing back infection has been published on the Department's website. Regular travel updates concerning affected countries is available at: www.nathnac.org/.

Breast Cancer

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the proportion of annual NHS expenditure on  (a) breast cancer drugs and  (b) all cancer drugs which will be required to fund the provision of Herceptin as set out in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's Final Appraisal Determination; and what estimate she has made of the cost to the NHS of providing Herceptin in each of the next three financial years.

Andy Burnham: For the year ending September 2005 approximately 630 million was spent on cancer drugs prescribed in hospitals and in the community. We can not provide an estimate of the expenditure on drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer since some of the drugs can be used for a variety of cancers. The data held give no indication of why a drug has been prescribed so the cost of breast cancer drugs cannot be estimated reliably.
	The cost of providing herceptin, for a 12 month course, to all patients with early stage breast cancer for whom it is clinically appropriate is estimated at around 100 million a year. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence will be publishing, as part of its guidance on herceptin, a cost impact report to help the national health service manage the implementation of the guidance.

Cervical Cancer

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of women attended cervical cancer screening in  (a) Guildford,  (b) Guildford and Waverley Primary Care Trust,  (c) Surrey and  (d) England in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The available requested information is in the table. Data is not held centrally for Guildford alone or for Surrey alone. Data on the other countries of the United Kingdom is a matter for the devolved administrations.
	
		
			   Guildford and Waverley primary care trust (PCT)  Surrey and Sussex strategic health authority (SHA)  England 
			   Eligible population (thousand)  Coverage (percentage less than 5 years since last adequate test)  Eligible population (thousand)  Coverage (percentage less than 5 years since last adequate test)  Eligible population (thousand)  Coverage (percentage less than 5 years since last adequate test) 
			 2002-03 61.2 84.0 651.2 83.8 12,686.4 81.6 
			 2003-04 60.5 82.2 645.0 82.3 12,714.8 80.6 
			 2004-05 60.5 82.0 645.0 81.8 12,714.8 80.3 
			  Notes:Prior to 2002-03 Guildford and Waverley PCT and Surrey and Sussex SHA were not in existence. Coverage in England was 81.6 per cent. in 2001-02 and 83 per cent. in 2000-01 Source: Statistical Bulletin: Cervical Screening Programme, England: 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05

Dentistry

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect on  (a) the throughput of and  (b) access to NHS dentistry of the implementation of the new dental contact and agreement on 1 April; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Management information indicates that, as at 1 April 2006, primary care trusts (PCTs) had commissioned services representing around 96 per cent. of previous levels and had begun steps to commission additional services, both to replace the small minority of contracts rejected and to expand service provision.
	The recent reforms are designed to support PCTs in improving access to services in a number of ways. First, the resources now devolved to PCTs represent a400 million increase in investment compared with 2003-04. Second, when a dentist chooses to stop providing national health service services locally, the money spent on these services now remains with the local PCT so that it is spent on commissioning new services from other dentists to replace lost capacity. Third, the new contractual arrangements are based on the expert clinical guidelines produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical excellence. These recommend that dentists recall patients at intervals of between three and 24 months depending on their oral health needs. In our view, this is likely to mean that many patients with good oral health who have traditionally attended at typically six-monthly intervals will not need to attend as frequently as they have done in the past. This will free up additional capacity and enable dentists to treat a greater range of patients.

Dentistry

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) general dental services contracts and  (b) personal dental services contracts signed by or on1 April on an in dispute basis remain in dispute, broken down by strategic health authority (SHA) area; and what proportion of the total contracts signed in each SHA area this represents.

Rosie Winterton: Provisional management estimates on the number of contracts signed in dispute and the proportion of the total contracts signed that this represents by strategic health authority is shown in the table. A contract may be for either a practice or an individual dentist. These estimates were made in April.
	Further management information on the position at the end of May will be available shortly.
	
		
			  Strategic health authority  Number of contracts signed in dispute  Proportion of contracts signed in dispute to all contracts signed (percentage) 
			 England 2,884 34.4 
			
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 111 33.2 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 162 50.0 
			 Birmingham and the Black County 177 44.6 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 88 23.9 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 33 21.2 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 65 20.3 
			 Dorset and Somerset 43 18.9 
			 Essex 77 31.7 
			 Greater Manchester 232 48.0 
			 Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 84 30.2 
			 Kent and Medway 106 41.9 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland 118 45.7 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 88 24.6 
			 North Central London 122 46.0 
			 North East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire 30 14.2 
			 North East London 99 42.1 
			 North West London 87 22.7 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 44 22.1 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 163 40.9 
			 South East London 123 50.2 
			 South West London 57 22.7 
			 South West Peninsula 52 19.3 
			 South Yorkshire 122 62.2 
			 Surrey and Sussex 134 26.6 
			 Thames Valley 129 35.5 
			 Trent 113 33.5 
			 West Midlands, South 73 32.6 
			 West Yorkshire 152 51.2

Dentistry

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many dentists who signed the new NHS dental contract who are  (a) in dispute and  (b) not in dispute had (i) withdrawn and (ii) given notice of their intention to withdraw from the contract by 1 July;
	(2)  how many and what percentage of dentists who signed the new NHS dental contract in dispute remained in dispute on 1 July.

Rosie Winterton: There is no centrally available information on the number of dentists who have withdrawn from national health service dental contracts or given notice of their intention towithdraw.
	Provisional management information on the number of contracts signed in dispute and the proportion of the total contracts signed that this represents by strategic health authority (SHA) is shown in the table. A contract may be for either a practice or an individual dentist. These estimates were made in April.
	Primary care trusts are working with dentists to resolve as many disputes as possible locally.
	
		
			  SHA  Number of contracts signed in dispute  Proportion of contracts signed in dispute to all contracts signed (Percentage) 
			 England 2,884 34.4 
			
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 111 33 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 162 50.0 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country 177 44.6 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 88 23.9 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 33 21.2 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 65 20.3 
			 Dorset and Somerset 43 18.9 
			 Essex 77 31.7 
			 Greater Manchester 232 48.0 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 84 30.2 
			 Kent and Medway 106 41.9 
			 Leicestershire, Northants and Rutland 118 45.7 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 88 24.6 
			 North Central London 122 46.0 
			 North East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire 30 14.2 
			 North East London 99 42.1 
			 North West London 87 22.7 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 44 22.1 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 163 40.9 
			 South East London 123 50.2 
			 South West London 57 22.7 
			 South West Peninsula 52 19.3 
			 South Yorkshire 122 62.2 
			 Surrey and Sussex 134 26.6 
			 Thames Valley 129 35.5 
			 Trent 113 33.5 
			 West Midlands South 73 32.6 
			 West Yorkshire 152 51.2

Dentistry

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of NHS paying patients treated were under the new NHS dental contract in each of the three payment bands on 1 July.

Rosie Winterton: The latest available data is from 1 April to 31 May 2006. The following table sets out the percentage of completed national health service treatments in England within each of the bands processed during the period 1 April 2006 to 31 May 2006.
	
		
			  Payment band  Percentage of NHS treatments 
			 Band 1 60 
			 Band 2 29 
			 Band 3 3 
			 Urgent 6 
			 Prescription issue (free) 2 
			  Notes:1. Data shown is from activity forms processed in April and May 2006.2. Activity forms are processed by the NHS Business Services Authority within a monthly scheduling programme. The data represents activity entered onto the system between these dates and does not represent treatment actually carried out during the period.3. Complicated courses of treatment take longer to complete. The reported activity for the early months of the new contract is therefore more heavily weighted towards simpler treatments.4. All data is provided by The Information Centre for health and social care. Source: NHS Business Services Authority

Fertility Treatment

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many eggs have been obtained from patients since the enactment of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990; how many have been used for research; and how many have been used for fertility treatments;
	(2)  what data is collected on  (a) hyperstimulation syndrome and  (b) other adverse clinical effects when eggs are obtained at fertility centres.

Caroline Flint: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) holds data on egg collections from 1 August 1991 to 31 March 2004. This indicates that the total number of eggs collected from patients was 3,080,812. For data collected between 1 August 1991 and 31 March 1999, this related to eggs collected solely for treatment purposes. From 1 August 1991 to 31 March 2004, 2,806,764 eggs were mixed with sperm for treatment purposes.
	From 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2004, 393 eggs were donated to research. The data held by the HFEA on eggs collected for donation to research is limited because the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 and the remit of the HFEA only extends to research involving the use of human embryos.
	The HFEA requires clinics to indicate on the treatment report form if a patient has experienced ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in two sets of circumstances: first, where no eggs were collected when an egg collection was attempted and second, where no embryos were transferred back to the patient even though viable embryos were available for transfer. Reporting clinics also give details of any other adverse clinical effects recorded in these circumstances.

GP Vacancies

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many reported GP vacancies there were in the last year for which figures are available; and how many applicants on average there were for each vacancy.

Rosie Winterton: The estimated three-month general practitioner (GP) vacancy rate is 2.4 per cent., and the average number of three-month GP vacancies per 100,000 patients is 1.4 per cent. in England as recorded in the 'GP Practice Vacancies Survey 2005, England and Wales'. The number of applicants for each vacancy is not collected centrally.

Hip Replacements

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for a hip replacement was in the Greater West Lancashire Primary Care Partnership area in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows the average waiting time for hip replacement operations in West Lancashire Primary Care Trust (PCT) in each year since the PCT was formed.
	
		
			   Total episodes  Waiting time (days)  Mean waiting time (days) 
			 2002-03 132 35,049 266 
			 2003-04 155 35,077 226 
			 2004-05 180 34,476 192 
			  Notes: Finished admission episodesA finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. Time waited (days)Time waited statistics from hospital episode statistics (HES) are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension. All operations count of episodesThese figures represent a count of all finished consultant episodes where the procedure was mentioned in any of the 12 operation fields in a HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if an operation is mentioned in more than one operation field of the record. Ungrossed dataFigures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data that is the data is ungrossed. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for health and social care

Information Technology

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors account for the difference between the forecast national expenditure on the National Programme for Information Technology, as stated in paragraph  (a) on page 25 of the National Audit Office Report the National Programme for IT in the NHS, HC1173, published on 16 June 2006, and the figure given by her Department's Director of Health and Social Services Delivery in oral evidence to the Health Committee in answer to Question 163 on 1 December 2005.

Caroline Flint: The figure given to the Health Select Committee as the value of the core national procurement programme contracts placed in 2003 and 2004 was 6.2 billion. This figure has not increased since the contracts were let, and is confirmed in the National Audit Office (NAO) report. The forecast national expenditure figure of 9.2 billion referred to by the NAO includes this sum, but in addition includes other elements, some of which are costs not directly associated with the national programme for information technology.
	The other elements are made up of 382 million for contracts and projects added to the original scope of the programme; 239 million for additional services beyond the scope of the core national contracts; and a further 337 million pro rata extrapolation of the cost of the core contracts to cover the period to 2013 to 2014. This last figure is a purely notional sum to allow total expenditure to be projected over 10 years, and needed because two contracts (choose and book, and the new national broadband networkN3) reach the end of their life before the end of 10 years, requiring further provision to take forward the services.
	In addition, a further 1.9 billion represents centrally managed expenditure on centrally managed projects and services within the national programme, and the cost of running the Department's NHS Connecting for Health agency. Some of these costs relate to agency responsibilities other than the national programme, including all of the information technology service delivered by the former NHS Information Authority (NHSIA). The NHSIA spent some 219 million in its last year. NHS Connecting for Health will be spending relatively less centrally and doing much more over 10 years.
	We expect that actual expenditure will be very significantly less than 1.9 billion since, once the initial stages of system development and deployment are complete, the role and size of the agency will reduce accordingly.
	All of these sums are itemised and described in the NAO's report.

Information Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary ofState for Health pursuant to the document, Delivering 21st century IT support for the NHS, when it was decided to move away from the recommendation for a choice of compliant systems for critical local applications.

Caroline Flint: No such decision has been taken. The strategy for the national programme for information technology requires the integration of multiple systems and applications operating together to functional and technical interoperability standards. Interoperability standards are shared with existing suppliers who are required to demonstrate compliance.
	We have always said that general practitioners would have the option of an alternative system to that supplied by the local service providers (LSP), providing the system meets the necessary compliance standards. Under the proposed 'GP systems of choice' initiative, and subject to the same compliance requirements, general practitioners (GPs) will in future have an even wider choice of systems from approved existing GP system providers as an alternative to that provided by their LSP.
	The aim of the new initiative is to enable GPs to either choose to upgrade their current clinical system, or migrate to an LSP-provided system in order to continue on the path to integration with the NHS Care Records Service. Providing GPs with this wider range of choice, and a clear roadmap to future integration with the NHS Care Records Service has been widely welcomed by the profession.
	The commercial and organisational models chosen for delivering the national programme have produced exceptional value for the taxpayer by avoiding multiple procurements and significantly reducing unit costs for applications and systems. The National Audit Office report acknowledges an independent evaluation that confirms that 4.5 billion has been saved by central rather than local procurement and also acknowledges a further 860 million of savings achieved through centrally negotiated enterprise wide arrangements.

Information Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answers of 26 January 2006,  Official Report, column 2333W, on Arm's Length Bodies, and 16 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1537W, on Connecting for Health, what the reasons are for the different figures given for the budget for Connecting for Health.

Caroline Flint: The budget figure of 178 million for NHS Connecting for Health (CfH) in 2005-06, quoted in my answer on 16 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1537W, included recurrent cash items. These items were as follows.
	
		
			   000 
			 Capital charges 52,510 
			 Non-recurrent funding 10,260 
		
	
	These items were excluded from the budget figure of 115.230 million for CfH in 2005-06 quoted in my answer on 26 January 2006,  Official Report, column 2333W. Non-recurrent funding is for a single year. Capital charges are a non-cash resource; that is no physical cash is used.

Private Sector Provision

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of healthcare provision in England is provided by the private sector.

Ivan Lewis: In 2004-05 expenditure on the purchase of healthcare from non-NHS bodies was 3.666 billion, approximately 5 per cent. of the total national health service budget but excludes longstanding arrangements relating to the general medical, pharmaceutical and optical services and the purchasing of pharmaceutical products and medical devices from the private sector.

Reproductive Health

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions of the morning-after pill were issued in each primary care trust area in each year since 1993, broken down by age of patient.

Caroline Flint: The information on the number of prescriptions for emergency hormonal contraception prescribed by general practitioner practices in each primary care trust has been placed in the Library. Data by complete years is not available prior to 2002 and it is not possible to break the data down by age.
	The data on emergency hormonal contraception dispensed by family planning clinics could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Skin Cancer

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the use of photodynamic therapy in skin cancer treatment; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: It is not the role of the Department to assess the relative costs and patient benefits of this or other treatments. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has been set up to issue clinical guidance to the national health service including: interventional procedure guidance to assess if a procedure is safe for routine use in the NHS; technology appraisals to assess if a treatment is clinically and cost effective; clinical guidelines to advise on the diagnosis and management of certain conditions; and, cancer service guidance to advise on how services should be organised to ensure good outcomes for patients.
	In February 2006, as part of its programme of work on interventional procedures, NICE issued guidance on the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of non-melanoma skin tumours. It noted that the procedure was generally safe and did not cause major problems although, in theory, it could start off cancerous changes in the skin. NICE also stated that patients need to understand the risks of this treatment before they agree to have PDT and that further treatment may be necessary.
	Also in February 2006, NICE published guidance on Improving Outcomes for people with skin tumours, including melanoma. This guidance includes recommendations on the management of patients with suspected precancerous or cancerous skin lesions.It describes PDT including the advantages and disadvantages of this type of treatment and notes that, at present, there is little information available on long-term cure rates. It does however recommend that a number of surgical and non-surgical procedures for the treatment of skin cancer, including PDT, should be available for use by clinicians in relevant teams, subject to locally agreed standards of competence.

UK Pensioners (Overseas Health Care)

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what  (a) bilateral and  (b) multilateral arrangements the United Kingdom has with (i) Estonia, (ii) Finland, (iii) France, (iv) Germany, (v) Greece, (vi) Hungary, (vii) Ireland, (viii) Italy, (ix) Latvia, (x) Lithuania,(xi) Luxembourg, (xii) Malta, (xiii) Netherlands,(xiv) Poland, (xv) Portugal, (xvi) Slovakia, (xvii) Slovenia, (xviii) Spain and (xix) Sweden on the provision of health care for UK pensioners resident in that country.

Rosie Winterton: There are arrangements co-ordinating the social security and health care systems of all the member states of the European Union (EU). This is covered by Regulation (EEC) 1408/71 which is a multilateral instrument.
	It provides that pensioners living in another EU member state who are receiving a United Kingdom state retirement, long-term incapacity or bereavement pension, are entitled to health care on the same basis as that country's own insured persons.

Walk-in Centres (Funding)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings  (a) she and  (b) her officials have had on the review of walk-in centre funding arrangements; what was discussed at each meeting;and if she will publish research her Department has (i) undertaken, (ii) commissioned and (iii) received as part of that review process.

Caroline Flint: These matters have been discussed at a number of meetings and proposals will be coming to Ministers shortly. No new research has been undertaken, commissioned or received.

Abattoirs

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 June 2006,  Official Report, column 9W, on abattoirs, how many abattoirs there were in England in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: The number of red and poultry meat slaughterhouses recorded in England for the years 1997 to 2005 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Red meat  Poultry meat 
			 1997 375 131 
			 1998 360 131 
			 1999 339 119 
			 2000 316 111 
			 2001 300 116 
			 2002 298 109 
			 2003 282 111 
			 2004 264 105 
			 2005 250 98 
			  Source:  Food Standards AgencyDecember 2005 
		
	
	The number of slaughterhouses in England has reduced since 1997, reflecting a longer-term trend for consolidation. For example in 1987 there were 790. The Government recognise the importance of an adequate network of slaughterhouses to ensure that all sustainable production needs can continue to be met. I also refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my predecessor, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (Mr. Jim Knight), on 9 November 2005,  Official Report, column 476W.

Air Quality

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards meeting the Government'sAir Quality Strategy targets for  (a) carbon monoxide,  (b) lead,  (c) nitrogen dioxide,  (d) particles,  (e) sulphur dioxide,  (f) benzene and  (g) 1,3 butadiene.

Ben Bradshaw: Provisional results for 2005, issued at the beginning of this year, show that the UK maintained and met the Air Quality Strategy's targets for carbon monoxide, benzene and 1,3-butadiene and lead. We missed objectives for nitrogen dioxide (2005) and ozone (2005) and very marginally missed those for particulates (2004) in some parts of the UK. However, we are meeting our current objectives for all air pollutants in most parts of the countryup to 99.5 per cent. in some casesand only a limited number of hot spot areas remain.
	However, based on present measures, more work will be needed to meet the targets for particles and nitrogen dioxide in some parts of our towns and cities. We are currently working with other Departments to review the Air Quality Strategy and explore what additional policy measures could help move us closer to meeting air quality targets. A public consultation on the review of the Air Quality Strategy was launched in April this year and is available from the following address:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/airqualstrat-review/index.htm

Angling

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much angling contributes to the Exchequer; and how much is paid out to assist with angling-related activity.

Ben Bradshaw: There are no exact figures on how much angling contributes to the Exchequer, but estimates suggest that the annual economic activity associated with angling is up to 2.75 billion, directly employing around 20,000 people, either full or part-time.
	The Department provides Grant in Aid of 5.8 million to maintain, improve and develop freshwater fisheries in England, part of which is paid out to assist with angling related activities.
	I understand that Sport England provide 185,000 in funding to Angling Governing Bodies.

Biofuel Crops

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs why energy aid top-up grants for biofuel crops are not available to crops grown on set aside land.

Barry Gardiner: The 45 per hectare Energy Aid payment was introduced by the European Commission in 2004 as part of the Common Agricultural Policy reform, to encourage the production of biofuels. At the time, certain energy crops grown on set-aside land were eligible for the set-aside payment.
	The Commission has given a commitment in its Biomass Action Plan to review the implementation of the payment by the end of this year.

Bovine Tuberculosis

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many problem herds were involved in his Department's pilot study of the gamma interferon bovine tuberculosis test; and how many cattle  (a) there were in each herd, (b) tested positive to the standard intradermal skin test,  (c) tested positive to the standard intradermal skin test and showed visible lesions or were bacteriologically positive,  (d) were inconclusive to the standard intradermal skin test,  (e) were inconclusive to the standard intradermal skin test and subsequently slaughtered,  (f) were inconclusive to the standard intradermal skin test, were subsequently slaughtered and showed visible lesions or were bacteriologically positive,  (g) tested negative to the standard intradermal skin test but positive to the gamma interferon tuberculosis test and  (h) tested negative to the standard intradermal skin test but positive to the gamma interferon tuberculosis test and, on slaughter, showed visible lesions or were bacteriologically positive.

Ben Bradshaw: An initial report providing an analysis of the data from the field study should be published shortly, once it is finalised.
	In line with standard practice, the report will be freely available, but I have asked my officials to ensure the hon. gentleman receives a copy as soon as it is ready.

Coastal Defences

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the funds earmarked for sea coastal defences in  (a) Clacton-on-Sea and  (b) Holland-on-Sea have been allocated; and what assessment he has made of the balance of priorities between river and sea flood defences in Essex.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 10 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1402W.
	From April 2006, all local authority flood and coastal erosion capital improvement projects are funded by direct grant aid from Defra. Defra funding is allocated to individual capital improvement projects across the country through a priority scoring system, which looks at the benefits of potential projects compared with the costs. River and sea defences are treated equally within this process.
	Environment Agency budgets for coastal and fluvial funding are drawn up in September, for spending in the following financial year. These figures are based upon asset and watercourse inspections and historical levels of expenditure. There may, in some years, be raised levels of expenditure depending on situations such as storm damage, high rainfall events and varying levels of weed growth in watercourses. Where repairs to damage sustained are above the budgeted level, these works are funded from within the overall area maintenance budget by reprioritising programmed works.

Common Agricultural Policy

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total amount paid under the Common Agricultural Policy to  (a) limited companies and  (b) individuals was in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Barry Gardiner: Details relating to payments made to both limited companies and individuals can be found on the following website:
	www.rpa.gov.uk/about.rpa/CAP payments for EAGGF 2003-04
	Data relating to the EAGGF 2004-05 is being prepared and will be available on the RPA website in the near future.

Common Agricultural Policy

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers in the UK received Common Agricultural Policy subsidies of  (a) 0 to 5,000,  (b) 5,000 to 50,000 and  (c) more than 50,000 euros in (i) 2003-04,(ii) 2004-05 and (iii) 2005-06.

Barry Gardiner: The number of farmers in England can be found on the following website for the EAGGF year 2003-04.
	www.rpa.gov.uk/about.rpa/CAP payments for EAGGF 2003-04
	Data relating to the EAGGF year 2004-05 is being prepared and will be available on the RPA website in the near future.
	Analysis for the EAGGF year 2005-06 will not be available until after the year closes in October 2006.
	Please note that all the above data is prepared in sterling as this is the required reporting currency to the EC.

Electrical Appliances (Stand-by Mode)

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his most recent estimate is of the annual level of UK carbon emissions resulting from electrical appliances being left in stand-by mode.

Ian Pearson: The most recent analysis of the energy consumption of equipment in households and commercial properties was undertaken by DEFRA's Market Transformation Programme (MTP) last year. This estimated that the level of carbon emissions resulting from electrical appliances left in stand-by mode was just over one million tonnes of carbon per annum.
	The report, 'Estimated UK standby Electricity Consumption in 2004 (BNXS36)' can be found at: http://www.mtprog.com/ApprovedBriefingNotes/BriefingNoteTemplate.aspx?intBriefingNoteID=393
	MTP is currently in the process of updating this information.

Ivory

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the plans under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species for a one-time sale of ivory stocks.

Barry Gardiner: The UK continues to be closely involved in the debate surrounding calls for one-off sales of stockpiled ivory, through our involvement in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The convention has set a number of strict pre-conditions that have to be met before one-off sales of ivory could take place. In addition, partiesto CITES have stated that the proceeds would have to be used exclusively for elephant and community conservation projects within, or near, the areas where the elephants reside.
	The UK will continue to work with EU member states and CITES parties so that no decision to allow the proposed one-off sales can take place unless the strict conditions I have referred to have been met.
	To assist any considerations I have asked the International Fund for Animal Welfare to prepare estimates of the cost of improving conservation measures to combat elephant poaching commensurate with ensuring that any stimulus that such one-off sales of stockpiled ivory might give to the black market trade would be more than offset by the improved conservation.

Ivory

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will oppose proposals for sales from the ivory stockpile at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Standing Committee meeting on 2-9 October 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: The one-off sales were agreed in principle back in 2002 at the 12(th )CITES Conference of Parties but the Parties set a number of strict pre-conditions that have to be met before one-off sales of ivory can go ahead.
	This will be discussed at the next CITES Standing Committee in October and the UK will continue to work with EU member states and CITES parties so that no decision to allow the proposed one-off sales can take place unless the strict conditions I have referred to have been met.
	To assist any considerations I have asked the International Fund for Animal Welfare to prepare estimates of the cost of improving conservation measures to combat elephant poaching commensurate with ensuring that any stimulus that such one-off sales of stockpiled ivory might give to the black market trade would be more than offset by the improved conservation.

North Sea (Carbon Sequestration)

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the potential for carbon sequestration within abandoned North Sea fields; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 4 July 2005,  Official Report, column 50W.

Nuclear Waste

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the burial of nuclear waste on the environment around the site of burial.

Ian Pearson: The independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM), which was appointed by the Government in November 2003, has considered xisting research into the environmental effects of the disposal of nuclear waste. The options CoRWM is considering include the geological disposal of radioactive wastes. They will publish their report at the end of July.

Regulatory Simplification

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regulatory simplification proposals his Department has received since the start of the initiative; which stakeholders have been consulted on each proposal; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: Since the launch of the Government's regulatory simplification initiative on 15 September 2005, the Department has received 44 proposals from 21 organisations including the National Farmers Union, Construction Products Association and GlaxoSmithKline. Of these, 28 relate to or have implications for environmental regulations. Where appropriate, the Department has carried out further consultation with stakeholders on these proposals.
	The Government is engaging with stakeholders from private, public, and voluntary sectors as part of a radical programme of reform to reduce unnecessary and burdensome regulation. The Government welcome suggestions from stakeholders for regulatory simplification.

Single Payments Scheme

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the error rate for single farm payment forms was for 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: By 15 June, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) had received approximately 110,000 claim forms to the 2006 Single Payment Scheme. To assist customers and reduce processing time, RPA has been undertaking manual checks to ensure that claims contain sufficient information to process. Around11 per cent. of the claims received did not contain the requisite information, and the claimants have been contacted by RPA. With the exception of unsigned claims, which had to be returned to the customer, claimants were asked to provide the missing information to facilitate processing of their claim.
	The remaining claims will be paid as soon as legally possible following the positive action set out in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's written statement on 22 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1478.

Televisions

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effect of predicted future sales of high end television sales, including plasma screens, on carbon dioxide emissions from their use comparative to existing television use.

Ian Pearson: The Government's Market Transformation Programme (MTP) estimates that in 2005 the 63 million television sets in use in the UK consumed around9.6 Terra Watt Hours (TWh) of electricityequivalent to 1 million tonnes of carbon. By 2010, MTP estimates that the number of television sets will increase to around 67 million, consuming around 15.7 TWh of electricityequivalent to 1.7 million tonnes of carbon.
	MTP analysis indicates that, at present, new traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions (larger than 24 inches) consume around 250 Kilo Watt Hours (KWh) per annum whereas newer flat screen plasma and LCD TVs (larger than 24 inches) consume an average of around 900 KWh per annum.
	In 2005, MTP estimates that 56 million (88 per cent.) televisions were CRT sets and 6 million (10 per cent.) were plasma or LCD screens. In 2010, MTP expects that 51 per cent. of televisions will be CRT, 28 per cent. LCD, 10 per cent. plasma, and 11 per cent. other technologies.
	Beyond 2010, newly emerging television technologies such as Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) screens, will offer potential energy savings in both manufacture and use, compared to existing LED technology. The MTP indicates that commercial OLED televisions will be available by 2010.
	The issue of increasing emissions from new generation television sets and the potential impact of emerging technologies was assessed in a report published for Defra in June 2005, entitled 7\n Assessment of Emerging Innovative Energy Efficient Technologies as part of the Energy Efficiency Innovation Review'. This report is available on the MTP web site at: www.mtprog.com

Trees

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of trees in each country  (a) had full crowns,  (b) had slight defoliation,  (c) had moderate defoliation,  (d) had severe defoliation and  (e) were dead in the most recent survey of tree health in Europe under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution.

Barry Gardiner: Surveys on defoliation are undertaken by the International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forestsa body operating under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution.
	The most recent published results are those for the survey undertaken in 2004. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (Jim Knight), on 15 June 2005,  Official Report, column 432W. The results of the survey undertaken in 2005 are not expected to be published until September 2006.

Waste

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tonnes of  (a) aluminium,  (b) wood , (c) paper,  (d) green waste,  (e) glass,  (f) steel and  (g) textiles there were in the municipal waste stream in each year since 2004-05; and how much of each he estimates was (i) recycled, (ii) landfilled and (iii) sent to energy from waste facilities (A) in total and (B) broken down by local authority area.

Ben Bradshaw: Information on tonnages of specific materials in the municipal waste stream is not available, other than when separately collected for recycling. However, composition analysis of household waste carried out for the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report 'Waste not, want not', published in November 2002, provided proportions of individual materials in the waste stream. These proportions have been applied to the 2004-05 WasteDataFlow results to produce estimated totals for England which are shown as follows. A breakdown of results for each local authority is not available.
	
		
			  2004-05 
			   Tonnes (thousand) 
			 All cans 667 
			 Scrap metal and white goods 1,157 
			 Paper and card 4,746 
			 Green waste (compost) 5,255 
			 Glass 1,757 
			 Wood 1,067 
			 Textiles 750 
		
	
	Data on the tonnages of different materials from household sources collected for recycling in England since 2003-04 are not available.

Water

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers Ofwat has to take action against overcharging of water customers; and what steps he plans to take in this area.

Ian Pearson: Ofwat reviews and sets overall price limits, which balance the need for individual water and sewerage companies to carry out their functions with customer interests. In December 2004, Ofwat set price limits for each company for the period 2005-10.
	Companies are responsible for deciding individual charging schemes, but these must be approved by Ofwat every year. Detailed information on this is published in the 'Water and sewerage charges report': http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/tariff_report06.pdf/$FILE/tariff report06.pdf.
	The established principle is that charges should broadly reflect the cost of the service provided. If necessary, Ofwat can take regulatory action to ensure that customers do not pay for services that have not been delivered.

Water

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average monthly cost to consumers was of  (a) water services and  (b) sewerage services in each water supply area in 2005-06; and what the average monthly cost was to (i) metered and (ii) unmetered customers.

Ian Pearson: Ofwat is the economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales. In December 2004 it set price limits for the period 2005-10.
	The following table sets out the average monthly cost of water and sewerage services in 2005-06, for metered and unmetered customers. Each figure is based on the annual average bill for the particular service. Individual bills can be more or less than the average. More information can be found in Ofwat's 'Water and sewerage charges 2006-07 report', available on their website at:
	http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/Attach mentsByTitle/tariff_report06.pdf/$FILE/tariff_report06.pdf
	
		
			  2005-06 
			  () 
			  
			  Water and sewerage companies  Un-metered water  Un-metered sewerage  Metered water  Metered Sewerage 
			 Anglian 13 17 10 12 
			 Dwr Cymru 13 17 9 9 
			 Northumbrian 9  8  
			 Essex and Suffolk 13  10  
			 Severn Trent 11 10 9 10 
			 South West 15 27 10 16 
			 Southern 9 17 9 14 
			 Thames 13 9 11 8 
			 United Utilities 12 13 10 12 
			 Wessex 13 15 10 11 
			 Yorkshire 11 12 9 10 
			  
			  Water only companies 
			 Bournemouth and W Hampshire 11  10  
			 Bristol 11  10  
			 Cambridge 10  8  
			 Cholderton 13  12  
			 Dee Valley 11  7  
			 Folkestone and Dover 15  11  
			 Mid Kent 13  10  
			 Portsmouth 7  7  
			 South East 14  11  
			 South Staffordshire 9  8  
			 Sutton and East Surrey 13  10  
			 Tendring Hundred 17  12  
			 Three Valleys 12  10